Weekly Racing Recap for July 26, 2010

Andrew Wheating's a big dog now; American HS record for Sisson

“I think I can run with the big dogs!” an elated Andrew Wheating said after the huge personal best 3:51.74 mile he ran at the Prefontaine Classic on July 3. “Think” was the operative word there; however, his fourth-place finish behind winner Asbel Kiprop was his first true global test, and one even he seemed to consider something of a shock.

After last week’s Diamond League meeting in Monaco, Andrew Wheating can safely assume that his race at Pre was no fluke—not only can he run with the big dogs, but he’s becoming one himself.

Wheating ran 3:30.90 for 1500 meters, good enough for another fourth-place finish, this time behind 20-year-old sensation Silas Kiplagat, who ran a world-leading 3:29.27. Wheating’s time places him fourth on the all-time U.S. list, behind only Bernard Lagat, Alan Webb and Sydney Maree.

Even better news for American distance running fans is the fact that in 2007, Alan Webb ran his 1500-meter PR of 3:30.54 and later that same summer went on to run the American mile record of 3:46.91. Simply because Wheating and Webb now have similar personal bests, of course, doesn’t ensure that Wheating will break the American record, but it does mean that his fitness is at least awfully close to that level of performance, which bodes well for the as-yet-unsigned Oregon alum.

But Wheating wasn’t the only star of the evening in Monaco.

Shannon Rowbury ran 8:31.38 for third in the 3,000m after taking the lead late in the race, which is almost unheard of for Americans at this level of competition. Her time places her second all-time in the U.S. behind only Mary Decker-Slaney. (And considering the drug charges that were later leveled against Slaney, Rowbury’s time may be the fastest clean 3K ever by an American.)

Alysia Johnson continued her resurgent 2010 with a blazing 1:57.34 in the 800m, a personal best and world-leading time.

The good vibes continued for the two-lappers as Americans Nick Symmonds ran a season best 1:44.06 for sixth in his race, just edging out David Torrence, who was seventh in a career best 1:45.14. Abubaber Kaki remained seemingly unbeatable by all but David Rudisha, who won in 1:43.10. For complete results, click here.

The other big track meet of the week was the World Junior Track and Field Championships, held in Moncton, Canada. There was far too much action to recap in full, but here are some highlights:

In the women’s 3000m, Oregon frosh Jordan Hasay ran a personal best 9:15.78, and only narrowly edged out high school senior Emily Sisson, who finished in 9:16.80, also a personal record. Hasay and Sisson were ninth and 10th, respectively, behind Mercy Cherono of Kenya, who ran a quick 8:55.07 to edge Ethiopian Emebet Anteneh (8:55.24) for the win.

Both Hasay and Sisson doubled back, and both improved in their second events. Hasay finished fourth in the 1500 meters, narrowly missing the podium, in a time that was only a tenth of a second off her lifetime best, 4:13.95.

Sisson was especially impressive, running 15:48.91 for sixth to set a new American high school record, besting Caitlin Chock’s previous 15:22. To give some context, had Sisson run that time at the NCAA championships this year, she would have finished second. The University of Wisconsin-bound Sisson will likely next have her eyes on Molly Huddle’s American junior record of 15:36.

Sisson, however, wasn’t the only American high school record-setter at the meet. University of Oregon-bound Parker Stinson ran 29:32.23 over 10,000m to finish sixth, making him the highest-placing American junior ever at that distance. His performance harkens back to Dathan Ritzenhein’s third-place finish at the 2001 World Junior Cross Country Championships. Ritz showed that success as a junior internationally doesn’t necessarily spell “flash in the pan,” as many assume, and can instead be an indicator of success at the senior level. Kenyan Dennis Masai, the younger brother of Edith Masai, one of the world’s best female distance runners, ran a scary-fast 27:53 to win.

American high school sophomore Ajee Wilson continued her year of head-spinning times, finishing fifth in the 800m in 2:04.18

The marquee matchup of the event for message-board posters everywhere was the men’s 800-meter final that featured American frosh phenoms Casimir Loxsom of Penn State and Robby Andrews of Virginia. Andrews was a surprise winner in the NCAA indoor championships earlier in the year, taking down Andrew Wheating, and his 1:45.54 PR made him the favorite. Andrews was second to Wheating at NCAAs outdoors, but may have left his best race at those championships. Loxsom, however, seemed to improve with each race as the world final drew closer, and ran a PB 1:46.57 when it counted to get silver behind Kenyan David Mutua’s 1:46.41. Andrews was third in 1:47.00. For complete results, click here.

On the road racing front, Dathan Ritzenhein announced he will make his “re-debut” at the marathon in New York City this fall, saying he’s a far better athlete now than he was when he ran his previous marathons.

Ohio State’s Jeff See led four Americans under four minutes at the Ryan Shay mile, which is quickly becoming a very competitive event. His 3:55.9 likely caps what was a very solid and too-often-overlooked season for him. Others dipping under the 4-minute mark were Liam Boylan-Pett (3:56.4), Rob Novak (3:56.5), Richard Kandie (3:57.9), and Felix Kiboiywo (3:59.7). Click here for results.

Ryan Hall re-emerged from a long stint of training to win the Bix 7 road race in 32:55. He edged out Ed Moran (33:00), Sean Quigley (33:05) and a fast-starting Antonio Vega (33:08). The race wasn’t the fast 5,000m on the track that many fans had hoped for from Hall after he initially announced he would be traveling to Europe to race, but it was a solid step toward the Chicago Marathon in October.

Lisa Koll continued her can’t-miss season by dominating the women’s race, running 37:52 and beating Amy Hastings by over 40 seconds. For results, click here.

Shadrack Kosgei won the Wharf-to-Wharf 6-miler in 27:01. Props to Cal Berkeley’s Michael Coe for mixing it up in such a fast race early in his preparation for his fall cross country season. Coe was ninth in 29:39. Belainesh Gebre of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 30:45. For top-100 results from men and women, click here.